Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1917 — Page 6

PAGE SIX

INTERESTING CLUB HISTORY

Ladies’ Literary Club Organized For Forty Years.

History of the Ladies’ Literary Club of Rensselaer, Indiana, written by Mrs; Melle Wright-Medicus and read before the club at the opening of the year’s work, September 21, 1917: “Back on its golden hinges The gate of memory swings; And I walk into the garden And look on bygone things.” When one begins to look back over forty years of time, you fully realize that you have lived an alloted lifetime, and when you have seen what wonderful achievements have been attained in so short a time, you are amazed, for it seems as but yesterday, when you look over it one way; in another way it seems like ages; but it is a pleasant thing to know that this little club has lived all these years and in a fair way to live 40 years more. When this club was organized, Rensselaer was a little village without any of our improvements, but the people were as happy and contented as they are now.

There was no railroad here then, but the Narrow Gauge was nearing completion and Rensselaer saw a new day dawning for her. Transportation to and from here was at times almost impossible. Hack lines ran daily to Bradford, now Monon, and t<r Remington and in those times the trips over to these towns was something to be dreaded. It was no uncommon sight to see teams mire on our main streets and the few old sidewalks we had were a fright. There were no lights to light our streets excepting lightning bugs and lanterns and dark nights everybody carried lanterns to pilot them through. They were an essential article in those days, for without them we would have been in utter darkness. Our club has lived to see wonderful changes and we have encouraged every civic improvement that came in sight. In 1875 Mrs. Alfred Thompson attended the Centennial at Philadelphia and while there she attended a convention that was conducted by the leading women of this country, such as Mrs. Livermore, Susan B. Anthony, Belva Lockwood and many more. She became interested in what she had seen and heard, for women’s clubs were scarcely • heard of then. When she came home she was so enthused over the matter that she decided to organize a club. The

first venture was called the “Irving Club,” and was composed of both men and women. For the lack of interest, the club was short-lived. Then men dropped out and after a year or so Mrs. Thompson was, instrumental in organizing this club.' When I became a member of this club I was going to school and had come home for the holiday vacation and was invited to go in as a charter member, which I was glad to do and have been glad ever since that I did. The first two years I attended very little—only in the summer vacations. We had fifty-two meetings e year and hot or cold was no excuse for our absence. It was on Thanksgiving day, 1877, at a dinner party at the home of Mrs. Thompson, that the idea of organizing a club was consummated, and on the following week at a meeting that was called for the purpose, the Ladies Literary and Social Circle was formed and the following officers elected: President, Mrs. R. S. Dwiggins; vice-president, Mrs. A. Purcupile; -secretary, Miss Moihe Bibcock. We started our club jwith 41 members and when you consider the size of this place then, it was surely a fine start. Our town had a population then of about 700 or 800 people. The object of this society was material improvement. Our meetings were always opened and closed with music of some kind and as we had several good musicians in the club it was an easy matter to have good music. Every meeting was opened with quotations from some author that had to be committed. If you couldn’t give it from memory you kept still, for no written ones were allowed. The first few years of our existence we had miscellaneous programs, made of papers, discussions on anything that the committee saw fit to put you on. We always had a discussion on some subject and I am sure we were all greatly benefited by them. I well remember one subject that

■ »*■ ■ - HI ’ Mpr~ M «<-> fe/ ; 4x<.- x |R . < /w»j|||l ' Z . x l||||jO^:^' Charles fl. /lartin AUCTIONEER Sales made anywhere. Years of experience. A judge of values. An honest effort made to sell for the 'For terms and dates Phone 7T> Morocco, Ind., or call on John A. Dunlao Rensselaer Indiana ‘ 8- ....»• •

gave us a lively time and it was this : “Resolved, that to give woman the franchise privilege would improve the mdrals of politics.” On another occasion we had this subject: “Can science and the Bible s account of Creation be made to harmonize?” These subjects required quite a little preparation and thought, but there were several women that were delighted to talk and argue and they came prepared for the occasion. Mrs. Burroughs, one of our oldest active members, a cool, level-headed woman, rarely escaped being heard when a discussion was on and when I think of her I recall many quaint and original . things that she would say. For several years after we started we had mixed programs, then we took up the authors, writers of fiction and history and made a study of them. We studied Shakespeare two years; we had the Bay View work two years and made quite a thorough study of Browning. We tried every way to keep our programs as spicy as possible and for one of our diversions we would have a spelling match occasionally and any or all who cared to, took a part in it, and we found it enjoyable as well as a Benefit. We did not confine our spelling to the spelling book, but selected a list of words that were in general use and easily mispelled. In the selection of our subjects for our debates we would have the members write a subject and then put them together and the first subject drawn would be the one used for the next week’s meeting. Then you would have to get busy if you were put on the debate for we only had one week to prepare our subjects in; but you seldom saw any failures. The founders of this club worked every way to make it worth while and from the beginning they displayed ability and zeal and were amply able to push it through.

We had several university graduates to start with. There was Mrs. Dr. Deming, now of California, a Swedish lady and highly educated in the schools of Sweden and when she came over to this country she entered our schools and became proficient in our language. She was a woman of rare culture. Misses Julia and Elizabeth Smith were also women who were highly educated, There were several more who were worthy of mention. At the beginning of this club I don’t believe there was a woman in it who was over 45 years of age, excepting the honorary ones. We had three of them, Grandmother Dwiggins, Kannal and Shortridge. These old ladies came often. All the rest were active members. We met at the homes of the members until 1885 and then we concluded to rent a club room and we rented three or four rooms over Babcock’s office and Mollie Babcock was the custodian of our apartment. She lived in the rooms and took care of them and we paid the rent. She had some furniture and with what we had donated our little place looked quite cozy and homelike. We occupied the front part and she had all the rest. He had a nice organ that belonged to the Temperance Union people. They had disbanded and they let us have it and we thought we were fixed. We had quite a few pieces of furniture given to us. I remember we had a book case, table, chairs and carpet, but we never had just what we wanted. During our stay there General Van Rensselaer, whose father lies buried in our Presbyterian church yard, made frequent visits to this place and he seemed to take great interest in our club welfare and he was conceded to be quite wealthy. So one day when we were in need of furniture or money to buy it, there was a called meeting for the express purpose of us meeting the' General. We had a hint that we were to receive something from him and every member was there and delighted for we thought our time had come to have our room furnished in fine style or io receive an endowment of some kind. He was a little old fellow on the dudish order, wore nose glasses, button hole bouquets, carried a gold headed cane and wore burnside whiskers that were trimmed to a frazzle. At the meeting he arose with great dignity with a package in his hand; he complimented us on our work; he said he was proud of us and thought the town ought to be. He gave us such a complimentary spiel that we thought we were about to reach our goal—in fact—were ready to receive it. Instead, he proceeded to open the package and there were thre or four dozen of his. pictures which he proceeded to distribute. Everyone present got one whether we wanted it or not. We were so crestfallen and disappointed that we did not know what to do. But we were game. Miss Mollie Babcock arose and thanked him for his generous gift and made a motion that we make him an honorary member, which we quickly did. On the following week we had a paper for a part of our program and one of the girl contributors wrote a little zigzag and when she came to V she began like this—

V stands for Van Rensselaer, So spare and so thin, The only male member We could ever take in; J He is an honorary, too, But so deficient in fleshWe scarcely expect him To get back to his place. One of the important offices of this society was the critic. It has been said that “poets are born, not made,” and that is the- way with the critic. For years we had the same one and she delighted in filling that office. Criticism should be received in the spirit of kindness in which it was made, so our rules said, and most of us tried to abide by them. The president would appoint the critic at the | opening of each meeting and with pencil in hand she was ready to criti- ' cize anything she saw or heard ' was not correct. Our manner of standing—-jf you happened to stand more on one foot ■ than the other—she saw it. _lf there was a mispronounced word or an illy constructed sentence she was there to let you know where you were at fault, and I am sure this criticism 1 did us a world of good and after she i got through with us we never made ■ the same mistake twice. Miss Bab-'

cock was a competent and fearless critic. It made no difference to her whether you liked to be criticized or not, you got it just the same if you deserved it. One day I happened to be appointed to that office when she was on the program. I thought now was my time to get even with her. She mispronounced the word “telegrapher.” I never forget that word, for she did not take the criticism like she wanted us to, but became quite angry and it took her a whole week to convince herself that she was wrong. From the beginning we have celebrated our anniversary day and our meetings used to be the events of the year. Everybody had a new dress for the Our first one was held at the beautiful home of Mrs, R. S. Dwiggins. The house was crowded and we served refreshments. The program was a long one with plenty of good music. The second meeting was at Mrs. Alfred Thompson’s. She always opened her home for all of our open meetings if we had them at a private home. After a few years we branched out a little and had several anniversary meetings at the opera house. We would issue invitations and charge an admission fee and we always had a crowded house. Everybody would go, for they knew the money was going to be given to a good cause. We gave over a hundred dollars to have our cemetery improved, for it was sadly neglected them, Sometimes it would go to the poor and we were sure is went to the right place. When we had our club room, we had, of course, to look out for the rent, as our membership fee was not sufficient to pay it and our open meetings helped us out. Our club never came so near dying a natural death as it did when we rented our rooms. It went down to a small membership and we were compelled to move out and go back to the homes for our meetings and our interest was revived and we got back to where we started. If it had not been for the energy of a few of the older members in keeping it together, I would not be here today trying to tell a forty years history. One noticeable feature about our early membership was that we had several grandmothers with their daughters and granddaughters that were members at the same time. One of our honorary members, Grandmother Dwiggins, had her daughter, Lydia, two granddaughters, Mrs. Willis Imes and Mrs. Lyda Kimball, and one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zimri Dwiggins. Mrs. Purcupile had her two daughters, Mrs. Sears and Strawbridge, and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Henry Purcupilfe’and there were several more. The club work seemed to interest the young ladies as well as it did the older ones. In looking over a list of our former members it gives me pleasure to know that some of them have gained fame and success. When I think of Margaret Hill McCarter, Mrs. Letherock, Celia Wilkins and Mary Washburn, I feel proud to know that at one time they were a part of us. Mrs. McCarter’s fame as a writer is broadcast over this land and had Grace Letherock lived she too would have succeeded in her chosen work. Our poet, Miss Wilkinson, was a teacher in the public school here. She deserves much praise for the beautiful poems she wrote. She also wrote many magazine articles for our leading journals and papers. She wrote under the name of Sand Burr and we were a long time finding out who Sand Burr was, as she was so modest and unpretentious about her Writing. Many beautiful things could be said about our former members, for they were deserving, and their ■good works do follow them, Mary Washburn has gained for herself a name that we all can be proud of. She is and has been an earnest student and her efforts have been crowned with success.

As I said in the beginning, the Narrow Gauge R. R. was not completed when we began this society and it was the subject of much talk and comment. At our first anniversary meeting we remembered it enough to put it on our program. This was the program: Toast Response—Narrow Gauge R. R., Mrs. M. L. Spitler. Rensselaer, Mrs. R. S. Dwiggins. The Republican Paper of Rensselaer, Major Bitters. Hero Worship—-M. L. Spitler. Paper, Editors—Celia Wilkinson and Melle Wright. Milroy Park should be a lasting tribute to the memory of Mrs. A. Thompson, the mother of this club. She was the starter of the movement and through her untiring efforts the old home of Gen. Milroy was bought for the purpose of perpetuating the fame of this noted general and to furnish Rensselaer with a beautiful park. She lived to see her drams realized and today we look upon it with pride, for it is adorned with a statue of the general who at one time lived upon the spot. This manument stands as a memorial to the soldiers and sailors of this coun-

ty who gave their lives for a noble cause. Our club was instrumental in raising $1,014.50 for this monument. We did what we could and should be proud of it. In connection with this memorial we must not forget to speak of Mary Washburn’s part in it. She was the little sculptress who made the miniature statue of Gen. Milroy. It was a perfect piece of mechanism. To the life of this club today we owe it all to the faithful Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Dwiggins and Mrs. Purcupile. They deserve all credit for they never tired in doing the work of keeping this thing together. They have all passed to their reward. As I said in the beginning, when this club was organized I was young, with the. greater part of my life and ambitions before me. In looking backward I see and find the greater part of them behind .me and the only regret I have it that I did not improve my time and talent in a: more earnest way. I have always j enjoyed the work of" the club and J have been greatly benefited by it in every way. In my closing thought to you to- < day, I will say that I could wish you nothing better than to live 40 years I more in this club and that you will *

THE TWICE-A-WEEK DEMOCRAT

FARMS FOR SALE

60 acres. On Main road, half mile from pike and mile from station, school and church; is on R. F. D. and telephone line. This farm is aU black land, in cultivation except eight acres in timber adjoining buildings. The outlet for drainage is good. There is a new five-room bungalow with nice porch, barn for four horses, six cows, grain and hay; hog house, chicken house, all new; a good well and young orchard. Price SBS. Terms, $1,500 down and long time on remainder. 43 acres. In Barkley township. This farm lies on main road, near pike, R. F. D. and telephone line. It is well tiled and all in cultivation, except two acres in timber. There is a good small house, good barn, good well, and plenty of all kinds of fruit. It is hickory and burr oak soil. Owner will sell on good terms and might take property as part payment Price $75. 120 acres. This farm is on main road and half mile from pike. 65 acres in cultivation and is heavy clay loam soil, with good outlet for drainage. 55 acres is in pasture and mostly pole timber. There is a new eight-room house and several outbuildings, a large bearing orchard, lots of walnut and hickory trees. Price $65. Owner will accept property or smaller tract of land as first payment and give long time on remainder. Or will sell on terms of $1,500 down. 83 acres. On main road, near two stations and in good neighborhood. 35 acres in cultivation and now in good crops, remainder pasture and timber. There is a large barn, three-room house, a young orchard - and good well. There is 15,000 feet of lumber onthe farm that goes with the place. Price $45. Owner will sell on terms of S6OO down and long time on remainder. Or he will take good property as first payment. 90 acres. This farm lies on main road near station, pike and school. It has a set of fair improvements, good well and is all level black soil with clay subsoil, and is in cultivation except pasture around the house, which is a hickory grove. There is some tile and is near the proposed Ryan ditch. Price $75. Owner might take part in good property. 120 acres. This farm lies eight miles from this city and in good neighborhood, two miies from station. All black land, except 15 acres, 10 acres timber. The buildings are common, consisting of four-room house, barn and well. This is a bargain at $55. There is a loan on this farm of $3,000, due in three years. 53 acres. Near pike and station, all in cultivation and all tiled and good clay subsoil. There is a sixroom house, barn, well and seven acres in alfalfa; in Barkley township. Price $65. Terms.

200 acres. This farm is well tiled and all good grain land ini cultivation except 40 acres in pasture containing about 20 acres of timber, but is all good land. It is on public road and mile to pike. There is a large new two-story cement block house, large barn, good well and other improvements. Price SBS. Owner does not live on the farm and is not situated to look after it. She will sell on terms of $2,500 down and long t : me on remainder. Or she will accept a clear smaller farm or clear property as first payment. This farm is a good one and well situated in good surroundings and has good outlet for drainage. 75 acres. This nice little home lies on the Jackson highway four miles out from this city. It is in a closely settled community and in one of our best neighborhoods. It is all good grain land, all in cultivation and well tiled. There is a neat five-room house, a nice barn and other outbuildings, good well and windmill, lots nf fruit and nice shade. Price* $125; terms, , $2,500 down and suitable time on remainder. 156 acres. This farm lies on pike road, two miles from station, school across the road, has R. F. D. and telephone. There is a ten-inch tile that heads at line of this farm, giving fine outlet for drainage. 130 acres is in cultivation and remainder pasture; the pasture has some timber on it; 140 acres of this farm is level and deep black loam soil, remainder little rolling and lighter soil. There Is neat five-room house and substantial and roomy barn; plenty of fruit, a good, well and other outbuildings. The , fencing is mostly new. There is a loan on this farm of $10,500 that runs long time. Owner will trade his equity in this farm for smaller farm, good property, . Western land, hotel or merchandise. Price sllO. Or will sell on payment of $2,000 down and suitable time on remainder. Describe fully and price what you have to offer. 40 acres. This tract of land lies on public road and mile from pike. There are no improvements except fence. There is about 25 acres in nice black prairie land that has |

GEORGE F. MEYERS

get as much pleasure and benefit as I have had. Happy thoughts will ever linger. O’er the hours well spent with you; I can leave you to the future / For I know much good you’ll do. Some of us will pass away To a fairer, brighter clime; Leaving you to fill our places With the work we leave behind.

never been broken and has been used for pasture; the remainder Is in timber. There is some saw timber on it, enough for frame for house and barn. Owner of this land will sell on terms of S3OO down and long time on remainder. Or if purchaser will build good house and bam they can have good time on all the purchase price. This is a chance for one having' limited means to get a nice home. Price $45. This land lies four miles from good town with elevator and high school. 31 acres. This is a splendid tract of land and is beautifully situated. It is all good heavy loam soil, fine for all kinds of grain and grasses and splendid for truck. It is all in cultivation and is all in oats this year, which has been sown to timothy. There is a pike road along the west side and there is a couple of acres of a nice rise facing the pike, making a nice place for buildings. There are no improvements on it except fence. On the south line there is a dredge ditch that gives fine outlet for drainage. It is 80 rods from village and station and school. Price $75. Terms, SI,OOO down and long time on remainder. Or if purchaser will build neat house and barn it can be arranged to give good terms on the entire amount. 120 acres. This farm lies on pike road joining station and at head of dredge ditch. It is all in cultivation, except eight acres timber and 20 acres in pasture which could be broken. It is mostly black soil. There are two sets of improvements on this land. One set consists of good five-room cottage, good small bhrn, chicken hduse and other Buildings; the eight acres of timber lies back of barn and is fenced for hogs. There are two good wells. The other set of improvements consist of fair fiveroom house, small barn, well and lots of fruit. Price SBS. Terms, $2,000 down and suitable time on remainder. Owner would accept clear property as part payment if not too far away.—. 80 acres. This J farm lies on public road and less than mile from pike, and is on R. F. D. and telephone line. There is a dredge ditch that touches one corner of the farm that gives fine outlet for drainage. There is a new fourroom house and small new barn and good well. This is all black land except a few acres and has 60 acres in cultivation and 20 in pasture, which has some nice young timber. Owner will sell on easy terms. Price $75. Owner might take some clear property or live stock.

120 acres. This is a rich piece of soil and lies four miles from this city. It is on main road near pike. Is on R. F. D. and telephone line. It is all in cultivation and nice bluegrass pasture. It is gently rolling enough to drain well. There is good outlet for drainage and two large tiles pass through it. There is a good five-room house, fair barn, good well and bearing orchard. Price $135. Farms around this one are priced much higher. This belongs to an estate of four heirs and must be sold for cash. 100 acres. This farm lies eight miles out from this city and on main road, fourth mile from pike. Ha* telephone. R. F. D. and near church and school. This farm has 85 acres of good black loam land adapted to all kinds of grain and 15 acres a little rolling. Part of this land is in pasture and has nice bluegrass. There are a few patches of light timber in the pasture. The farm has good outlet for drainage and is near large ditch. There is a good five-room house and a number of serviceable outbuildings, a good well, windmill, tank and good bearing orchard and lots of small fruit. Owner will sell at $75 and on terms of $2,500 down. Owner might take part in clear property. Owner lives on this farm. 4 0 acres. This little farm lies on main road joining station and village, is near school and fourth mile from pike. It has good outlet for drainage and is all cultivated except small grove near buildings. The soil is productive and partly black land and part sandy loam. There is a comfortable five-room house, barn and outbuildings, good well and lots of fruit. Owner will sell this farm for SBS, on terms of SI,OOO down and suitable time on remainder. 100 acres. This farm lies six miles from this city and is well located, being on the Jackson highway. It is on R. F. D. and telephone line. 75 acres is in cultivation, which is well tiled and has large tile outlet on the farm and is good grain land. The remainder is in pasture and has some timber on it but mostly small and scattering and well set to bluegrass. There is a three-room house, large new barn and good well. Price $92.50. This farm has a loan on it for $6,500 that is in easy payments and has long time to run. Owner will trade his equity for smaller farm, live stock or good

May this little club of women Live for ages yet to come; And as one by one you cross the river Head the Master say, “Well done.” There are 19 living members who began at the beginning and 22 who are dead. The living are: Mrs. Lydia Moss, Mrs. Estella Strawbridge, Mrs. Arabel Sears, Mrs. Alice Dunlap, Mrs. Dr. Washburn, Mrs. Nell Purcupile, Mrs. M. L. Spiter, Miss Lola Moss Patton, Hallie

SATURDAY, SEPT. 2», 1917-

property. Owner lives on this farm. 200 acres. Three miles from this city. This is a fine body of corn and bluegrass land and is all in grain except some in bluegrass pasture. It is all tillable. It lies on main road near pike, on R. F. D. and telephone. It has fine outlet for drainage and is well tiled. There are two sets of improvements, all in good condition. Fencing is also good. Owner lives on this land. The main set of improvements consists of good sixroom two-story house, cement walks, large barn, double cribs, tool sheds and a lot of other outbuildings, good well pumped with gasoline engine, which also furnishes power for other purposes. There is lots of fruit and good shade. Price $155. We have a large tract of deep black soil that is especially adapted for the raiding of onions and potatoes. There are many large fields of onions now growing on this kind of land in this county and will make large yields to the owner. We will sell this land, in small tracts at a much less figure than most of this kind of land has been sold at. Also will give terms. 75 acres. This is a splendid piece of land and a good home. It lies in well improved neighborhood, on R. F. D., telephone line, pike and fourth mile to country store, two-room school house and church. The land is tiled and all in cultivation and all good grain land. There is a good two-story eight-room house, good new barn and a number of out-buildings, fruit, good well and wind mill. This farm lies six miles from this city and is occupied by the owner. Price $135. Terms, $2,000 down. , 240 acres. This farm is a good one and lies on main road that is to be piked and one mile from pike now built that leads to all parts of the country. This farm has been used as a stock and grain filrm. It is level and all in cultivation or bluegrass pasture ready for the plow, except three groves, in all about 30 acres. It is all good grain land and 160 acres in deep black soil and remainder is lighter soil but productive. It has good drainage, having large ditch through it. There is a good sevenroom house, good horse barn, two good cattle sheds, double crib, granary, work shop, milk house and several more outbuildings. There are three wells, two windmills, tanks and good bearing orchard. The fencing is good. Owner of thia farm lives on it and his age and health is cause for selling. He offers it at the low price of $67.50. Terms, $3,000- down and suitable time on remainder. Or he would consider clear property or smaller piece of land not to exceed $6,000 as part payment. 100 acres. This farm lies on main road which is to be piked and is two miles from station. It is all black land in cultivation except ten acres pasture and timber. It is now mostly in corn, has 15 acres .of wheat and some oats. It has fine outlet for drainage, having a good graded road on west side and a new dredge ditch on the south and east line. There is a five-room house, good sized barn, crib, work shop, chicken house, well house and good well. The buildings are in good condition and not old. Owner lives on this farmf and has good, reasons for selling. Price $75. Terms on half. 80 acres. Owner of this farm lives on it and is a carpenter and desires to work at his trade and offers to trade the farm. There is a loan on this farm of $3,300 which runs for some years. Price of farm $75. Owner will trade his equity for clear property or small tract of land. This farm lies on public road and near pike, three miles from village and station. It has good outlet for drainage and is in good neighborhood. 50 acres is in cultivation and is black grain land; 30 acres is in pasture and has some timber but could be easily cleared. There is a comfortable five-room house, large barn, some other buildings, good well, windmill and fruit. Describe fully what you have to offer. 78 acres. This is a good farm and ail in cultivation except a few acres in grove. It is level to gently rolling and has creek running through it which furnishes good drainage. It is well tiled and is a heavy loam soil. It has good fiveroom house, good roomy barn and a number of outbuildings, a good well and lots of fruit. This farm is in well settled neighborhood and near school and church. Price $95. 80 acres. This farm lies three miles from this city and is one of the best farms in the county. It is all deep black loam soil and splendid grain and grass land. It is slightly rolling to make it drain nice and is well tiled and has two large outlet tile through it. There is splendid six-room house, good barn, double cribs and several other outbuildings, good well, cement walks, large orchard. Price $lB5.

Coen Ferguson, Mrs. S. P. Thompson, Mrs. Annie Jones, Miss Lydia Dwiggins, Lydia Paris Eandall, Mrs. Louise Imes, Mrs. Annie Maloy, Mrs. Lee A. Cotton, Mrs. Mary Porter Mayhew, Mrs. E. P. Alter, Mellfr Wright Medicus.

If It’s anything In cardboards, cards, envelopes or papers of any kind The Democrat undoubtedly has it